Information

Are you feeling wired and tired?

Date Posted:1 April 2014

Keeping calm, cool and collected can be a natural state even amidst challenging situations, when your adrenals are strong and balanced.

When I was 23 years of age I lived in a constantly tired zone… feeling tired but wired, knowing intuitively that something was wrong. I went to the doctor for some help. His prescription was valium. After just one tablet it was clear that this wasn’t for me.

At this time I did not know about Maharishi Ayurveda so I turned to a Naturopath who looked into my eyes and told me my adrenals were burnt out, nervous system stressed, leading to a sluggish liver function and poor nutrient absorption. This answer felt more in line with what I instinctively knew was right and pointed me in the direction of what I needed to do – reduce the effects of stress on my adrenals, nervous system and digestion.

This lead me in the first instance to learn Transcendental Meditation and then on to learning more about Maharishi Ayurveda, and eventually to train as a practitioner of Maharishi Ayurveda. Over the years I have given thousands of consultations to help people recover adrenal health and be at home in their body again.

Here’s what I discovered…

It’s essential to stabilise the body’s production of cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone that tells your body how to react when stressed and when in excess leaves you feeling ‘tired and wired.’ High cortisol

When cortisol has been high for too long, it leads to low cortisol levels and sometimes low and high cortisol levels simultaneously. Then you are likely to

feel exhausted and drained, like you have run out of steam

be fatigued or burnt out needing coffee or stimulants to bolster your energy

fall asleep while reading or watching a movie

tired and lacking stamina between 2 and 5 in the afternoon

experience bouts of crying for no particular reason

suffer from insomnia or wake in the night between 2 and 4AM

experience low or unstable blood sugar and salt cravings

If this is your story, or the story of a loved one or close friend, then be assured there is something simple you can do to break this cycle of cortisol dominance or depletion.

Here are some recommendations I make to clients

1. Helpful Herbals
Take 2 tablets of Stress Relief prior breakfast and at bedtime.
Take 1 tablet of Rejuvenation Plus prior breakfast, lunch and dinner.
If experiencing sluggish or irregular bowel motions take 1 tablet of Digest Plus after breakfast, lunch and dinner.

About Stress Relief
A principle ingredient of Stress Relief is ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha has been used for centuries to help the mind and body adapt to stress. Used by both men and women, it acts to calm the mind and promotes a natural, sound and restful sleep.

Modern research has validated its effectiveness both in helping to de-regulate cortisol production and as a rejuvenative that helps to nourish immunity, while supporting healthy function of the adrenals and reproductive system.

2. Be in bed by 10pm for 7.5 – 9 hours of undisturbed sleep as quality sleep really hastens recovery and protects against stress overload.

If you tend to wake in the night and have difficulty getting back to sleep then take 2 tablets of Deep Rest at bedtime

3. Practising the Transcendental Meditation technique was also a lifesaver for me and for clients who have learnt it. So be regular with practise if you have learnt TM or consider attending a free introductory talk, as it is a fast way to deregulate the stress response and is backed by a wealth of research to validate it’s effectiveness.

4. Be sure to favour healthy food choices, taking sugar rich foods as an occasional treat no more than 1-2 times a week. Choose the foods that are best suited to your body type and adjust with the seasons.

5. Consider getting some expert help with a pulse diagnosis consultation or skype consultation for those who have no Maharishi Ayurveda consultant or doctor in your locality.

Look out for next week’s insight where we will share a couple of healthful and tasty recipes clients love.